The Proximity Of Stars

Chapter 3

3

Meanwhile, in the girls' bedroom chitchat was rife. The night was really sultry, so the ladies couldn't fall asleep. By the look of it, they weren't going to sleep a wink until dawn.

“Brian's a cool and awesome guy. I really regret accepting this mission.” Alice was speaking her mind.

“Now, that's something new. Are you experiencing some kind of soul-searching or a feeling of remorse?” Brenda snapped at Alice ruthlessly.

“Don't forget that's the brother of Dixon, the World President, the bastard that nobody likes. The universal dictator, the one that we'll eventually have to deal with. I wish we could wipe him out from the face of the earth one day.

“Thus, we'll save not only our precious planet, but also the newly acquired human colonies like the Moon, Mars, the upcoming Venus project and, last but not least, the International Space Station (ISS). The latter, at present, is a megapolis for the filthy rich holidaymakers and affluent retirees, bless 'em all!”

“You shouldn't speak so openly about your true feelings for Dixon. His hounds, that is, bozos, might be snooping around as we discuss those nasty things,” Alice interrupted.

“What, in this godforsaken place? Come on, Alice! And just look who's telling me this, the very lover of Mr. Big Brother, who ain't so much into women altogether.”

“Brenda, stop right there, don't you dare! You've got absolutely no idea how hard my life as a poor orphan has been so far. And what's more, Dixon was like family to me. Now, back to your stupid query: who was flirting shamelessly with both Gary and Brian tonight, huh?”

At that precise moment, while still dark outside, there was a sudden but faint noise, which could be heard in the distance. It apparently sounded like a military chopper, fast approaching in a menacing manner.

“Hush, hush Alice, we need to make our way out of here immediately, as quietly as possible,” Brenda ordered nervously and the two spy girls were gone in a matter of seconds, literally.

Their room looked neat and tidy, as if nobody had slept inside that night.

The threatening sound of a nearing helicopter was now loud and clear; even the house was being rhythmically shaken. Arguably, the whole little island was being shattered. Right then, Gary opened his sleepy eyes.

“What the hell's that?” he asked, his voice conveying a great deal of annoyance, irritation and frustration, but without any hint of anxiety or concern.

“What exactly do you mean, old-timer?” Brian tried to open his eyes too, still not quite aware of the situation.

“I thought we were supposed to stay in a nice and quiet villa by the sea, weren't we? I'll certainly complain about that and ask for a refund,” Gary was now startled and shaken to the core, but wanted to appear well composed, even witty.

“Are you sure you aren’t bearing the fruits of your hangover, buddy?” Brian retorted accordingly, but right after that his croaky voice was drowned out by the thunderous touchdown of an enormous chopper, just in front of the house, on the edge of the nicely manicured lawn.

This was a scary sight by itself. The boys couldn't believe their eyes. All that seemed so unreal. They wished they were dreaming. Unfortunately, their alleged nightmare turned out to be the reality they had never even anticipated.

Several minutes later there were about a dozen armed to the teeth troopers, all set in line, eagerly awaiting someone undoubtedly very important to get out of the helicopter.

Quite right. A moment later, the one and only General Grant, the Commander-in-Chief of Dixon's Planetary Army, turned up on the chopper's steps.

His figure was imposing. Destiny was not at all favorable to the unlucky bastards who had the chance to catch a glimpse of this infamous general. Most of them were not among the living anymore.